A crumbling photograph. That’s where our story of Trinity United Methodist Church begins. This isn’t just any church. It stood at 1201 South Flower Street. It held a pivotal place in Los Angeles history. A history richer than you might imagine.
Trinity United Methodist Church wasn’t always a United Methodist Church. It started as a Methodist Episcopal Church South. That was until 1938. Then it transformed. It was even home to the controversial Reverend Robert Shuler. He used the church to broadcast his fiery radio sermons in the 1920s and 30s. Think of Aimee Semple McPherson’s contemporary. He was known as “Fighting Bob”.
Shuler’s sermons were explosive. He relentlessly criticized politicians and police. This made him quite famous. It also got him into trouble. In 1931 the Federal Radio Commission revoked his broadcasting license. He even ran for the US Senate. He garnered over 500000 votes.
The church was more than just a platform for Shuler’s outspoken sermons. It was a community hub. Its radio station KGEF stood for “Keep God Ever First”. Philanthropist Lizzie Glide funded it in part. Glide also supported San Francisco’s Glide Memorial Church. At its peak Shuler’s congregation numbered 5000. His radio broadcasts reached over 600000 people. This stretched from Mexico to Canada.
Sadly the photograph shows the final days of this magnificent building. It closed in 1980. It was later demolished. But the memories. The legacy of Trinity United Methodist Church live on. Even in a faded photograph. They tell a powerful story of faith controversy and community in the heart of Los Angeles. It reminds us of the enduring human spirit. The spirit that finds voice even in the face of adversity. A church building may be gone but its impact endures. Remember that. As we continue our tour.